take shape

phrase

: to assume a definite or distinctive form : to develop and become apparent or established

The plan is finally taking shape.

Edison's tireless work habits took shape during his childhood …

—Paul Gray

The proto-planetary fragments crashed together, coalesced by gravity, and crashed again into other fragments, until they gradually took shape as the planets we know today.

—M. Mitchell Waldrop

… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.

—Geoffrey Cowley

Examples of take shape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rossbach was pregnant while the company took shape, just as the sober-curious movement began to emerge. — Julia Fields fox News May Be Compensated For, Or Earn A Commission If You Buy Through, Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Was there anything that surprised you about the way this film took shape? — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Much of the work happens behind the scenes, through introductions, meetings and conversations with designers and brand executives, often long before a formal partnership takes shape. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

The current iteration of the project took shape starting in 2010. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take shape

• cityscape
• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe